How to Prepare for AAI Air Traffic Controller’s Interview

In this post, I am extending my last article which was about the written test preparation for the post of Jr. Executive (ATC) examination.  Post written test results, the successful candidates (around three times of total vacancies in number) are called for a voice test and interview which is the last part of the selection process.

Let’s first understand the importance of a Job interview. It’s a tool used by an employer (or representative of employing organization) for the selection of desired employee(s). An interview is basically conducted to test the communication skills, presence of mind, and quick decision-making capability of the candidate.

Generally, Interviews are held in four cities viz. New Delhi (For Northern Region), Mumbai (Western region), Chennai (Southern Region), Kolkata (Eastern and NE Regions).

I will start with the Voice test as it precedes the interview.

Voice Test for Air Traffic Controller

On the day of the interview, first, you will have to undergo a voice test which is followed by an interview.  A Voice test is mandatory for the post of ATC(Air Traffic Controller) as the job profile requires day to day basis interaction with Pilots as well as with various other ATC units. So the voice test is conducted to ensure that candidate has good English language speaking fluency and is not stammering. To check this, a printed page is given which is required to be read by the candidate. The page basically has some sample phraseology used by Pilots/ATC. This is just a cakewalk for the candidates with a clear voice.
EDIT: I have written an article on ‘How to prepare for Voice Test’. It has two sample Voice Test papers. You can read the article here:

• How to Prepare for AAI ATC Voice Test
• Important Questions/Answers for AAI ATC Interview
  
• Read and Share AAI ATC Interview Experiences

Note: Although, in your Interview letter it is mentioned that candidate will have an option to respond either in Hindi or English my advice is to keep your conversation in English only with the official conducting this test.

After the voice test, you will be asked to wait for your turn for the interview. Just relax during this waiting period and try not to pay attention to the candidates boasting of their academic background or no. of tests they have cleared. Remember that you all are in the same boat at that moment and no one is superior or inferior. Avoid negative thoughts as they may hamper your chances of getting selected.

Now let’s move to the interview round which is the final hurdle for you to be part of this prestigious profession.

Interview for Air Traffic Controller :

It will be a Panel interview where senior officials of AAI(Airport Authority of India) will be judging your knowledge and communication skills. Usually, the interview board consists of 4 to 5 panelists.

So can we cross this hurdle with ease? Yes, you can do it. Here are some important points you should consider during the interview:

1. Respond to the questions in English only, it really helps.
2. Do not be anxious during the interview, they can sense it. So be comfortable.
3. Be yourself and do not try to bluff at all. In case you don’t know the answer, simply admit to it instead of giving a wrong answer.
4. Sometimes they will ask you to describe one of the objects installed in the Interview room like a TV, Projector, etc. which is basically for testing your fluency in spoken English. So just read a bit about these objects.
5. Try to make eye contact while answering the questions.
6. Do not tell them that you have cleared some other PSU’s exam or are waiting for a joining letter; it will create a doubt in the mind of the interviewer about selecting you because no one wants to select a candidate who may leave the organization any time.
7. Last but not the least, have a smile on your face; it is the best thing to have…even in trouble when you don’t know the answer!! But do remember that an excessive smile reflects nervousness and lack of confidence.

Edit: Memory Test: Short-term memory is very essential for an ATC Officer. So be ready for this test where the panelist will test your short-term memory. What they really do is each one of them will ask you one question one by one and you have to listen and remember all these questions, then you will be asked to answer all the questions in the same sequence as they were asked. So you will be required to remember 5 questions and their sequence and then answer accordingly. 

• Read How to Prepare for AAI ATC Exam

Potential Questions/Topics for ATC Interview :

I am aware that you all must be waiting for the potential questions which are asked during the interview. The topics vary from the knowledge of working of ATC to the geography of the world. In this section, I will try to cover as many topics as possible. The questions/topics are as:

1. Your brief introduction.
2. Your Project work during B.Tech./B.Sc.(if any).
3. Job Experience, if any and why do you want to join AAI(Airport Authority of India)?
4. About AAI(Airport Authority of India): Number of airports it manages, Chairman of AAI, when AAI was constituted etc.
5. History of Indian civil aviation: first flight, Pilot, in which year India celebrated 100 years of civil aviation etc.
6. What is Air Traffic Control? How is it done? How was controlling done before the satellite era?
7. Various terms related to ATC functioning like GBAS, SBAS, ADS-B, NDB, ILS, VOR, etc. Just have an idea about these technologies/systems; they don’t expect you to be a master of them.
8. What is GAGAN? Gain as much knowledge about this joint venture of AAI and ISRO. How do GAGAN works? How is it different than GPS?GAGAN & RADAR are “must know” topics for ATC interviews.
9. What is GPS and how does it work? The minimum number of satellites required for the operation of GPS?
10. Different satellite-based augmentation systems in the world e.g. GLONASS, Galileo
11. Basics of aerodynamics: Use of Rudder, Flaps, Elevator, etc., How does aircraft fly? Bernoulli’s Principle, different forces on the aircraft.
12. Type of fuels used in aircraft.
13. What is Knot (speed)? 1 Nautical Mile= ?(distance in metres)
14. Types of Airports: Green-field, Brown-field airport, etc.
15. Latest news related to Civil Aviation or aircraft incidents/accidents. e.g. Flight MH17.
16. Where is the tallest ATC tower in the world and India?
17. Name of the operators of private airports like Delhi, and Mumbai.
18. Who is the Civil Aviation minister of India?
19. Difference between Track, Heading, and Bearing.
20. Speed of sound? What is Ultrasonic aircraft?
21. Radar: How Radar is used in ATC(Air Traffic Control), different bands of Radar frequencies, Equation of Radar Range, the difference between Primary and Secondary Radar, Blind speed, CW Radar, FM Radar, and other types of Radar, staggering PRI, False alarm, etc.
22. Electromagnetic waves and their propagation; Line-of-sight communication, Layers of atmosphere, Ground-wave propagation, Space-wave propagation, Skip distance, Critical frequency, Virtual Height, fading, Signal to Noise Ratio(SNR), etc.
23. Basic Physics phenomenon and Principles.
24. The special theory of relativity
25. Simple antenna questions/formulae like Impedance, VSWR, etc.
26. Diodes: Forward and Reverse biasing of a diode, Avalanche and Zener Breakdown, etc.
27. Read a little bit about satellite communication e.g. what are uplink and downlink frequencies?
28. Conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit and vice versa.
29. Simple geography questions like what is GMT, why International Date Line is not straight? If it is winter in Australia then which season is in India? Time zones and the concept of daylight saving, how weather change etc.
30. About United Nations organizations and their HQs.

PS: I have tried to assemble potential questions (mentioned above) for AAI ATC Interview in a series of 5 Articles. There are total of 65 questions. I hope you will find them useful for the interview preparation. Read the questions on the below link. I wish you all the best in your interview. 

• Important Questions for AAI ATC Interview – (Must Read)

Edit: Read the latest post about important definitions and terms like ADS-B, SSR, SBAS, GBAS, Runway, Flight Level, etc for ATC Interview Preparation. Link is:

Important Terms and Definitions for JE-ATC Interview